By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 2nd September 2006
AROUND 50 people received free medical check-ups at the Bangladesh Embassy yesterday in a bid to reduce the high death rate of Bangladeshi nationals in Bahrain.
The embassy estimates that three Bangladeshis die here every month, often depriving their families back home of their only breadwinners.
But most deaths are preventable, says first secretary (political) and consular Masadur Rahman.
“One of the main reasons so many die is because their salaries are so low that they cannot afford to seek medical treatment,” he said. “Many companies do not offer any medical insurance and they go on suffering from serious illnesses without knowing how life-threatening they are.”
By TARIQ KHONJI
Published: 2nd September 2006
AROUND 50 people received free medical check-ups at the Bangladesh Embassy yesterday in a bid to reduce the high death rate of Bangladeshi nationals in Bahrain.
The embassy estimates that three Bangladeshis die here every month, often depriving their families back home of their only breadwinners.
But most deaths are preventable, says first secretary (political) and consular Masadur Rahman.
“One of the main reasons so many die is because their salaries are so low that they cannot afford to seek medical treatment,” he said. “Many companies do not offer any medical insurance and they go on suffering from serious illnesses without knowing how life-threatening they are.”
Among the cases that came to the embassy’s attention was that of a 36-year-old who suffered a fatal stroke. The free check-ups provided by KIMS Bahrain Medical Centre uncovered very high blood pressure and high sugar levels among some. Sick notes were handed out to some so that they could take leave from work.
Yesterday was an open day at the embassy, where officials, including Ambassador Ruhul Amin, met Bangladeshi nationals. The embassy advised them about Bahrain’s laws and regulations.
Mr Rahman said a large number of Bangladeshis die in traffic accidents. “Bicycles are the cheapest mode of transportation, but the road infrastructure is not friendly to them,” he said.
“This is something the Bahrain authorities could help us with, through providing traffic awareness to both drivers and cyclists.” The embassy estimates some 60,000 Bangladeshi nationals live in Bahrain, either legally or illegally, most of whom are low-paid labourers.
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